Koalas are an iconic Australian animal that attract admirers from all over the world. But aside from their adorable appearance, koalas play a key role in our bushland. They can eat up to a kilogram of Eucalyptus leaves a day, “helping to control plant growth, balance the forest ecosystem and support forest life for insects and birds“.Â
The Crisis: Why Koalas Are Endangered
Despite their status as global icons, koala populations are in severe decline and are now listed as endangered in New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory. The reasons for this crisis are complex but primarily driven by a few major threats:
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
The most significant threat is the clearing of their habitat for urban development, agriculture, and resource extraction. Koalas are highly dependent on specific species of Eucalyptus trees for both food and shelter. When these essential habitats are cleared or fragmented, koalas are forced onto the ground to travel, increasing their exposure to predators and leading to isolation of populations.
Disease
Chlamydia is a widespread and debilitating disease in koala populations. It can cause blindness, infertility, and death, significantly impacting their ability to breed and thrive in the wild.
Climate Change and Bushfires
Extreme weather events and devastating bushfires, particularly the Black Summer fires of 2019–2020, have decimated vast swathes of koala habitat and killed thousands of animals. Climate change exacerbates these events, impacting the nutritional value of their food source and increasing the frequency of life-threatening droughts and heatwaves.
So, what can we do to ensure their survival in the Australian landscape?
Solutions+ has begun collaboration and implementation of conservation actions for Koalas on some recent projects through the creation of Vegetation Management Plans (VMP’s) and revegetation using Koala Feed Trees with local provenance.
This is all being done in alignment with the NSW Government’s $190m investment into a targeted Koala Strategy working towards the long-term goal of doubling Koala numbers in NSW by 2050.Â
This initial 5-year investment is based on four pillars outlined by the NSW Government, with their key targets listed below.
Pillar 1: Koala Habitat Conservation
- $107.1 million to fund the protection, restoration and improved management of 47,000 hectares of koala habitat
- 22,000 ha of koala habitat protected
- 25,000 ha of koala habitat restored
- One area of Outstanding Biodiversity Value and 20 Assets of Intergenerational Significance for koalas secured
Pillar 2: Supporting Local Communities to Conserve Koalas
- $19.6 million to fund partnerships across NSW
- Up to 8 regional partnerships with local councils and conservation groups
- 10 koala stronghold areas better secured
- At least 10 councils supported to develop koala habitat maps
Pillar 3: Improving the Safety and Health of Koalas
- $23.2 million to remove threats, improve health and rehabilitation, and establish a translocation program
- At least 10 vehicle strike hotspots addressed
- Up to 8 translocation projects implemented
- More than 500 vets and vet nurses to receive wildlife care training
Pillar 4: Building our Knowledge of Koalas
- $43.4 million to fill knowledge gaps and better understand NSW Koalas populations
- Baseline surveys in up to 50 populations
- Ongoing monitoring at a minimum of 20 sites
- Koala genetic diversity mapping
- Priority research continued
